EDINA, Minn.

The fortune cookie from PF Chang's on Thursday night told Emily Powers all she needed to know.

"Sometimes it is better to take a couple of steps instead of taking one big leap," the little slip of paper told Powers hours after she carded an 8-over 81 in the first round of the U.S. Women's Open at Interlachen Country Club.

Those words made a lot of sense to Powers.

"This is just the first step for me," she said. "I didn't play the best, but I have to remember that this was just the first step."

By the time she finishes her final four holes today, Powers' name will be somewhere near the bottom of the 155-player field. She followed the 81 by going through 14 holes in 8-over during Friday's second round.

Don't let her finish fool you.

It wasn't like Powers was playing out of her league this week.

She was every bit as long off the tee as the two accomplished tour pros she practiced with on Wednesday -- Laura Diaz and Nicole Castrale. Ditto for the young pros she played her two rounds with -- Hee Young Park and Janell Howland.

What Powers lacks is the experience one needs to survive to make money on the weekend. The pros know what to do to scramble for pars and other ways to get out of trouble spots that only comes with experience.

"I put myself in a lot bad areas," Powers said. "You have to know where to miss out here."

She said she learned a lot of things that she'll take with her to the driving range and to other events. She said the experience she picked up this week will be valuable when she returns to Kansas for her junior season in the fall.

Though she still has some business to do today, Powers reflected on her week in the big leagues.

"Just being here was great, I can't pick out one (highlight)," she said. "The whole thing has been great."

And it be even better the next time she's here.

--dobrien@whig.com/221-3365